Comment 160: The Crime-Terror-Drugs Convergence in South Asia
The Crime-Terror-Drugs Convergence in South Asia
Comment submitted under invitation from SADF.
The convergence between crime, terrorism and drug trafficking poses an enduring threat to South Asia. Readers may ask: why segregate ‘crime’ from ‘drug trafficking’ when they are part of the same phenomenon? The answer is that government officials deal...
SADF Comment 158- Quo vadis Sri Lanka? Post-election outlook
SADF Comment 158- Quo vadis Sri Lanka? Post-election outlook
By Silvia Mayr and Siegfried O. Wolf
Overall assessment
Saturday’s presidential electionsin Sri Lanka saw Gotabaya Rajapaksa from the neo-conservative party Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) emerge as the race’s winner. The polls registered a record turnout of 83,7 percent (“Sri Lanka election...”,...
SADF Round Table ‘Exploring opportunities for cooperation between Europe and South Asia in the...
Exploring opportunities for cooperation between Europe and South Asia in the South Caucasus region
On 7 November 2019, the South Asia Democratic Forum (SADF) hosted a round table, co-organised by the South Caucasus-South Asia Centre for Business Development (henceforth Caucasus-Asia Centre) and the Association of European Studies for the Caucasus...
COMMENT 157 Sri Lanka- Shadows of the civil war loom over presidential elections
Introduction
Still recovering from a deep political crisis in late 2018 and shattered by the terrorist attacks of Easter 2019, Sri Lanka is now preparing to hold presidential elections on 16 November 2019, which many hope will bring an upswing to the country. “A stuttering economy, national security, corruption allegations...
COMMENT 156 – On the Asian Century, Pax Sinica & Beyond (VII): Towards...
In the shadow of the latest plenary session of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the current government of Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan pushed the promulgation of two ordinances: ‘The CPEC Authority Ordinance, 2019’ and ‘The Tax Laws (Amendment) Ordinance, 2019’ (PT, 2019, October 8). Distracted by the...
SADF Working Paper 14: Alternative views for Afghanistan
SADF WORKING PAPER 14: Alternative views for Afghanistan
Abstract:
In Central and South Asia ‘the terrorist threat emanating from Afghanistan is perceived to be growing, with foreign fighters who have returned from the Syrian Arab Republic and Iraq increasing their numbers in Afghanistan’. SADF has dedicated a great deal of research...
COMMENT 151-Jammu & Kashmir in the spotlight
Jammu & Kashmir in the spotlight
Introduction
A recent constitutional change on the status of Jammu & Kashmir has occupied prime time on both the United Kingdom’s and Western media more generally - albeit not always in a balanced and informed way. I present here my perspective on the issue based...
COMMENT 150- Disillusioned by empty promises: Afghan women form new movement despite being increasingly...
Disillusioned by empty promises: Afghan women form new movement despite being increasingly threatened by the Taliban
Throughout this year’s “peace” talks with the Taliban, the group have claimed that they agree to protect and uphold women’s rights in Afghanistan. During the Intra-Afghan Conference earlier this month in Doha, the Taliban...
COMMENT 149 – On the Asian Century, Pax Sinica & Beyond (IV): ...
Two recent events in Bangladesh moved Dhaka’s ties with Beijing - and Chinese investments in the country - to the forefront of a growing public debate. The first subject regards the violent clash last month between Chinese and Bangladesh workers engaged in the building of the $2.5 billion Patuakhali...